2. How open are they to allowing you to expand your skills while traveling?

2.5

2.3

3. Hospital Technology

3.1

3.3

4. Location (A nice area to live)

2.5

2.7

5. Cafeteria food

2.9

3.3

6. Parking

3.5

4.7

7. Physical layout of hospital effecient

3.1

4.0

8. Hospital appeal (looks)

3.2

4.0

9. Hospital orientation geared toward travelers?

3.5

4.7

10. Simplicity being initiated into the system (Do you have to do lots of unneccessary paperwork, drug testing, criminal background checks, etc. in addition to what the agency requires before you can start working?)

2.9

3.7

11. Reputation of the hospital

2.8

2.7

12. How nice are the doctors to staff

3.3

3.0

13. Friendliness of staffing office

3.5

3.7

14. Happy with the work scheduling procedure?

3.1

2.0

15. How efficient is their system so you can get your job done?

3.1

3.3

16. Adequacy of their nurse to patient ratio

3

2.3

17. How well staffed are they

2.5

2.3

18. How happy were you with your workload?

2.8

2.7

19. Staff morale (overall)

2.8

3.0

20. To what extent would you recommend this hospital to other travelers?

2.4

2.0

Total Score (number or rankings)

60(15)

64.7(3)

I worked in the ER department(s) in the hospital. 01/01/2019

Housing was approximately 24 mile(s) from the hospital. The name of the housing complex was none. Housing was located in city of Lugoff. On a scale from 1 to 5, I would rate it a 4. None

I worked in the Med/Tele department(s) in the hospital. I will start by saying I loved the staff. They were extremely traveler friendly. I HATED STAFFING. The hospital was very cheap. They were allowed to low census us every other week and they took full advantage of this. I would get called off and a pool nurse would take my spot. That was not fair!! They hire travelers, yet they do not want to pay us. Its like pulling teeth trying to get overtime. You will probably get called off on you overtime day if they even approve it. Approved time off that WAS LISTED IN MY CONTRACT was not given. Scheduling was horrible. I travel with a friend and they put us on opposite weekends. Patient ratio 1:5 or 1:6 when short. It is a 20 bed unit so staffed is 4 nurses and 1 free charge. Patient were fairly easy. Overall, I would not recommend this hospital due to the unfairness of the staffing. 10/13/2018

Housing was approximately 13 mile(s) from the hospital. The name of the housing complex was Varia. Housing was located in city of Columbia. On a scale from 1 to 5, I would rate it a 3. i only give it a 3 because we had a bug problem. They were called "Palmetto Bugs" which is basically a roach. The leasing office said it was the time of year that they are really bad. They sprayed and we did too. We would usually find them dead, however sometimes they were alive. Other than this, the apartment was great. Good location. Cute little dog park for anyone with animals.

I worked in the medical oncology department(s) in the hospital. I worked at Palmetto Health Baptist on the oncology unit. At the time, we rarely had actual oncology pts bc they were mostly at Richland campus. However, as of February '18 all the oncology pts are transitioning to Baptist. This would be fine, but I don't think the floor is well prepared to take on the acuity of oncology pts. The pt to nurse ratio remained to be 5 or 6:1, often 6:1. Very few staff nurses are chemo certified and they don't let travelers hang chemo, even with ONS.
My least favorite part abt this hospital is that in order to allow for "quicker discharge" during day shift, they move all morning meds to 0600 so as a night shift nurse, we had to wake pts up at 5 a.m. and give them like 15 pills without any food. Didn't make any sense and with 6 pts it was challenging to pass all a.m. meds by shift report.
Another odd thing was that floor nurses didn't draw blood or weren't allowed to do central line dressing changes. They didn't even let the oncology floor nurses access and deaccess ports. (There's an IV team for it).
But despite these things, I still had a really good experience. All the staff were very kind and grateful for travelers. I was treated with respect by coworkers and by my manager. They worked with my schedule. Columbia isn't a super exciting city, but it is super close to so many amazing areas all within a short drive. For 3 months, I would recommend this facility. 03/22/2018

Housing was approximately 20 mile(s) from the hospital. The name of the housing complex was Broad River Campground. Housing was located in city of Jenkinsville/Winnsboro. On a scale from 1 to 5, I would rate it a 4. Big open campground, lots of spaces, many unfilled. Had a lot of privacy. Was pretty on lot 22, located next to a decent field with woods closeby. 30 minute drive to Palmetto Baptist.

I worked in the MS/tele department(s) in the hospital. Hospital was decent, morale was poor. Employees were mostly helpful and appreciative of travelers. Surrounding area was scary at times, but plenty of restaurants/bars downtown. 11/21/2017

Housing was approximately 5 mile(s) from the hospital. The name of the housing complex was extended stay. Housing was located in city of Columbia. On a scale from 1 to 5, I would rate it a 3. There were a couple of extended stays nearby. Some will offer a travel nurse discount, if you ask. Building was recently remodeled, offers breakfast and also cleaning services.

I worked in the MICU department(s) in the hospital. Own housing 10/06/2017

Housing was approximately N/a mile(s) from the hospital. The name of the housing complex was N/a. Housing was located in city of Na. On a scale from 1 to 5, I would rate it a 5.

I worked in the CCU department(s) in the hospital. One of the best units I've worked on in six years. The staff is great and the facilities are very good. 07/14/2017

Housing was approximately 12 mile(s) from the hospital. The name of the housing complex was NA. Housing was located in city of irmo. On a scale from 1 to 5, I would rate it a 5. Can't remember the name of the housing

I worked in the pacu department(s) in the hospital. in 12 hours you get one break, your lunch. Too busy/short to allow anymore. Was told, eat a big breakfast, breaks are lunch only and when able to staff. VERY busy and critical patients frequently, have 2. 05/21/2017

Housing was approximately 20 mile(s) from the hospital. The name of the housing complex was found own. Housing was located in city of unknown. On a scale from 1 to 5, I would rate it a 2.

I worked in the Medical ICU mostly department(s) in the hospital. The Palmetto hospitals have you do a TON of "modules" during (and before even getting to) orientation. After that, integration into the unit is fairly easy. They use Cerner just fyi, and the nurses wear ceil blue scrubs. As far as ICUs go, MICU was a 14 bed unit, fairly well run, and had physicians and residents on the floor (as Palmetto Richland campus is a teaching hospital). The other nurses were helpful and on top of things, though they didn't really include me in chatting/gossip (which is mostly fine by me). The nurse manager and ANM were flexible in scheduling as long as I gave them a bit of notice, and other nurses were willing to trade shifts as needed. Patient population was fairly standard MICU with some neuro ICU as their Neuro ICU was still being opened. I floated a few times, to the STICU, CCU, and ED - red zone. All of which were fairly straightforward and the nurses were helpful. Of course, they didn't often give me the difficult patients, which was disappointing, but understandable. If you like bustling big hospital stuff, this is a good place to be. 05/19/2017

Housing was approximately 4 mile(s) from the hospital. The name of the housing complex was Redtail on the River. Housing was located in city of West Columbia. On a scale from 1 to 5, I would rate it a 5. I took over a lease for a student who had changed universities. This apartment complex was gated, safe, quiet, and had lots of parking. I shared a FURNISHED 2 bedroom apartment with a college student who worked most of the time. The clubhouse had a business center with Mac computers and a printer, a decent 24hr gym, a pool and jacuzzi, and occasional free food. Though most of the residents were students, it wasn't rowdy and it suited my needs very well.

I worked in the 10 east department(s) in the hospital. The staff was not helpful unless was convenient to them. Most of the people I worked with were very unprofessional, not wanting me to watch narcotics being wasted after I had signed off. Nurses found sleeping in pt rooms or watching TV while their other patients were calling out. The patients and sitters could spot travelers because they were different from the regular staff, (better). 02/20/2017

Housing was approximately N/a mile(s) from the hospital. The name of the housing complex was N/a. Housing was located in city of N/a. On a scale from 1 to 5, I would rate it a 5. I found my own housing for this assignment

I worked in the Ortho/Step down trauma department(s) in the hospital. This facility utilized many travel nurses. The permanent staff were most often unapproachable and unfriendly. Smiles and eye contact were rare. Nurses were overworked and expected to do it all. CNA's set the standards for the units. Nurses were not supported in delegation or leadership roles. Overall, as a traveler, I was floated to all the medical units and usually assigned the highest acuity of care. I completed my contract with disappointment in my observations of management disregarding the low morale in this facility. The entire 13 weeks spent there were toxic and I left feeling deeply effected by the toxicity. 01/13/2017

Housing was approximately 5 mile(s) from the hospital. The name of the housing complex was a house rental. Housing was located in city of Columbia. On a scale from 1 to 5, I would rate it a 4.

I worked in the neurosurgery department(s) in the hospital. Before accepting the assignment I was told that there was a lot of travelers on this unit, I did not realize that this meant that they were unable to keep regular staff on the unit. Very unorganized, dirty and difficult to obtain the necessary items I needed to complete my job effectively. Only a few of the nurses were friendly. If I asked a question, it was either not answered or I was treated as "bothering them". Most of the nursing assistants were a joke. Sat at their computers and ignored call lights and bed alarms. If asked to do something, there was always an excuse why they couldn't do it at that time or they acted like I just asked them to cut their arm off. My work load was doubled because I had to do my job plus the assistants. I was treated like a child and not like a seasoned nurse. Instead of just answering questions, there was always some long drawn out comment. Most of the staff had poor attitudes and just didn't want to be bothered. 01/22/2016

Housing was approximately 6 mile(s) from the hospital. The name of the housing complex was Well Springs. Housing was located in city of Columbia. On a scale from 1 to 5, I would rate it a 3. Nice housing with friendly staff. Located near long walking trails.

I worked in the ER department(s) in the hospital. I worked in the ER. This is ER is WAY understaffed.They will overwork the travelers in one or two pods of their ER while staff does nothing in another pod. The staff is so miserable that every shift I worked I heard of another staff member quitting. The patient population is rude and abusive to the staff. One large pod has cardiac monitors in the room, but no central monitoring. Too busy for effective nursing care.
I tried two different extended stays in the area, both were disgusting. They smelled. They had become low income housing. I ended up traveling home on my days off and staying at a higher end hotel when I came back to work.
Columbia is a dirty, somewhat gross city. I never felt safe. I do not recommend this city or this hospital.
09/16/2015

Housing was approximately 3 mile(s) from the hospital. The name of the housing complex was Extended . Housing was located in city of Columbia. On a scale from 1 to 5, I would rate it a 1. Smelled. Had become Low income housing.

I worked in the STICU department(s) in the hospital. The nurses in the trauma ICU had very strong personalities, about tough to get along with and work with, however I will say they cared about doing things the right way and had great teamwork with each other and helped me out alot. Most of my frustration came from dealing with the doctors who expected me to flirt with them and do whatever tehy asked me to. Also this unit was very "cut throat", the only way to get things done was their way, not open to different ideas and changes. 01/23/2015

Housing was approximately 3 mile(s) from the hospital. The name of the housing complex was Rented room. Housing was located in city of Columbia. On a scale from 1 to 5, I would rate it a 3. Small city, hard to find temporary housing. I stayed in downtown columbia area, clean area, but very small and boring :) lot of homeless in the streets.

I worked in the ER department(s) in the hospital. Travelers placed in critical assignments with 3 rooms, and possibly 2 hallway patients. You are responsible for all unless there is a "hallway" nurse. No area in this ED is safe. Would not recommend this hospital at all. 01/10/2015

Housing was approximately n/a mile(s) from the hospital. The name of the housing complex was N/A. Housing was located in city of n/a. On a scale from 1 to 5, I would rate it a 1. n/a

I worked in the ST-ICU department(s) in the hospital. OVer-all I had an average experience, the staff are well mannered and easy to get along with, however lot of back-talking and gossiping (the usual amount hehe) so I kept to myself. The doctors are not the easiest to work with, slow to take action and don't mind putting nurses on spot and even blaming them. 09/05/2014

Housing was approximately 5 mile(s) from the hospital. The name of the housing complex was n/a. Housing was located in city of Columbia. On a scale from 1 to 5, I would rate it a 3. Took stripened and rented out a room in downtown. Not the most exciting place but it's not bad by any means.